He has posted a photograph of his beloved girlfriend’s hand adorned with the ring on Facebook and spoken of his devastation at her death – describing her as his ‘life’.

Josh, a tennis coach, said he had originally planned to propose to ‘love of his life’ Abigail next year.

“She was the reason I would wake up in the morning,” he said.

“She is my life. Words cannot express the love that I have for her.

“There was no reason for Abbie to leave us – she had everything to live for.

“There’s no one else I would want to share my life with.”

He said the couple had plans to visit Dubai and Turkey and were due to spend New Year’s Eve together in Paris.

Abigail, who grew up in Doncaster, was found by dead in her flat on Shoreham Street, Highfield, Sheffield, by friends on Wednesday night.

She had been at university for less than a week.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is under way, but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

The former pupil at McAuley Catholic High School and Hall Cross Academy in Doncaster was in her first year at Sheffield Hallam University, where she was studying biomedical sciences.

Just weeks earlier she had enjoyed a holiday in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, with friends and had posted holiday snaps on Facebook.

Abigail, who had a love of fashion, beauty and shoes, also had her own blog in which she posted photographs of her wearing the latest designs and reviewed products.

Josh was working in Corfu when he was informed of the death.

He had called Abigail but a friend answered her phone and broke the news that she had stopped breathing.

Josh has thanked family and friends for their support.

“Thank you to everyone for the support you have given Abbie’s family and myself. Life will never be the same again, we need to continue to support each other,” he said.

Friends have expressed their shock at Abigail’s death and spoken of the engagement on Facebook.

Nina Andreia said: “I’m completely lost for words, this is an example of love. So beautiful.

“This must be the most heartbreaking thing someone can go through, knowing there is nothing you can do about it.

“She would have loved that ring and it looks so beautiful on her delicate finger. Thinking of you and Abbie’s family in this hard time. Stay strong.”

Ang Jones described Abigail as ‘a beautiful, caring, young lady’.

Lucy Fendall wrote: “She will absolutely love that ring Josh. She’ll be with you everywhere you go right by your side.”

And Josh’s aunt, Lisa Burdge, described Abigail as ‘a beautiful girl – not just on the outside, which was obvious, but inside too’.

“My heart was so full of joy for you, as you told us tales of your trip to Paris, and plans for the future. And now, my darling nephew your heart is broken,” she added.

“I feel fortunate that I got to meet the beautiful Abbie and to understand how you feel for her.

“I cannot even begin to understand how you and Abbie’s family must be feeling now. We are thinking of you every second and love you so much.”

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Emergency services were called at around 7.35pm on Wednesday following the discovery of a body of an 18-year-old woman at a property in Shoreham Street, Sheffield.

“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and officers are liaising with the coroner.”